The Andromeda Galaxy

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The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is the closest large galaxy to the Milky Way and is one of a few
galaxies that can be seen unaided from the Earth. In approximately 4.5
billion years the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way are expected to collide
and the result will be a giant elliptical galaxy.

Andromeda is accompanied by
14 dwarf galaxies, including M32, M110, and possibly M33 (The Triangulum
Galaxy).

Andromeda Galaxy Profile

Designation: M31 or NGC 224

Type: Spiral

Diameter: 220,000 ly

Distance: 2.54 Mly

Mass: 1,230 billion M☉

Number of Stars 1 trillion

Constellation: Andromeda

Group: Local Group

Facts About Andromeda

While
Andromeda is the largest galaxy in the Local Cluster it may not be the
most massive. The Milky May is thought to contain more dark matter, which
could make it much more massive.

Since
it is the nearest spiral galaxy to us, astronomers use the Andromeda
Galaxy to understand the origin and evolution of such galaxies.

The
Andromeda Galaxy is approaching the Milky Way at approximately 100 to 140
kilometres per second.

The
Andromeda Galaxy has a very crowded double nucleus. Not only does it have
a massive star cluster right at its heart, but it also has at least one
supermassive black hole hidden
at the core.

The
spiral arms of the Andromeda Galaxy are being distorted by gravitational
interactions with two companion galaxies, M32 and M110.

The
Andromeda Galaxy has at least two spiral arms, plus a ring of dust that
may have come from the smaller galaxy M32. Astronomers think that it may
have interacted more closely with Andromeda several hundred million years
ago, when M32 plunged through the heart of its larger neighbor.

There
are at least 450 globular clusters orbiting in and around the Andromeda
Galaxy. Some of them are among the most densely populated globulars ever
seen.

The
Andromeda Galaxy is the most distant object you can spot with the naked
eye. You need a good spot away from bright lights in order to see it.